Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 9.djvu/356

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [ii s. ix. MAY 2, i9u.


STATUE OF DIOMEPE BY SERGEL. In 1775 one Lord Talbot bought in Rome a statue of Diomede from the Swedish sculptor J. T. Sergei (1740-1814), a forerunner of Canova and Thorvaldsen. The statue was of marble, about life-size, and represented Diomede carrying away the image of Pallas from Troy. It was probably signed " Sergei fecit Romse 1774." Nothing islmown about it by the present members of the Talbot families, and it did not figure at the sale by Christies in 1857.

The undersigned, who is writing a mono- graph on Sergei, would be much obliged for any information about the statue in question, sent directly to Hotel Roosevelt, 63, avenue cTIena, Paris, or after 15 May to the National Museum of Stockholm. H. BRISING.

TRAIN BAND MEN. In the Parish Con- stable's Accounts of a Leicestershire village for 1715 there are items for expenses in con- nexion with " two Train band men," includ- ing 2s. for " listing " them ; also four days' pay for them whilst at Leicester, together with a fee of 2s. for the " Muster Master " there. There are also charges for repairs to two swords and muskets, and an item, 21. 15s. 6d. " paid for the armour of the Train band." These preparations were, no doubt, made in consequence of the Jacobite rising in the North. Did the two train band men belong to the village, and whose property was the armour, &c. ? Where can I find information on the subject ? M. B.

[See the long note at 10 S. xii. 422, by Miss ETHEL LEGA - WEEKES, on ' Military Musters : Parish Armour.']

" AMENER DE FEYNS " : " PAPE. " In a West- Country case, entered in contracted Latin, one of the culprits is described as

Thomas le amener de ffeyns " and as ' ' ductor de ffeyns. ' ' He led two horses laden with "ffeyns." One is tempted to" seek a Norman-French origin for the title. Another man was William Hugo," pape de Exon'," and is also described as a servant of the Mayor of that city. Can any one tell me the occupations of these two men ?

F. ROSE-TROUP.

OLD ETONIANS. I shall be much obliged for any information regarding the following Eton boys : Acland, Hugh, admitted 27 April, 1765, left about 1769. Alcock, John, admitted 3 March, 1762, left about 1763. Alkin, Thomas Verrier, admitted 14 April, 1760, left about 1764. Ambrose, John admitted 3 May, 1757, left about 1761. Andrews, John, admitted 8 Sept., 1764,


left about 1768. Ashton (or Assheton), Thomas, admitted 16 Jan., 1761, left about 1765. Aston, Willoughby, admitted 9 Sept., 1761, left same year. Athill, Joseph, ad- mitted 15 Jan., 1760, left about 1765. Aus- tin, Daniel, admitted 29 April, 1762, left same year. Ayscough, George Edward, admitted 6 June^ 1759, left about 1763.

R. A. A.-L.

REGISTERS OF HAWKHTJRST, KENT. Can any reader inform me where a copy of the register of marriages at Hawkhurst Church, Kent, between 1725 and 1750 may be seen ? I am anxious to procure a copy of the entry of my great-great-grandfather's marriage. He was married at this church, but the Vicar informs me that the registers are missing for that period. J. J. PIPER.

MARTEN OF BROADWATER, SUSSEX. I should be very glad of any information as to the ancestors of the family of Marten who lived at Broadwater (near Worthing) some time ago. E. B


DEATH FOLK-LORE.

(11 S. ix. 128, 196, 236, 278, 296, sub 'Tying Legs after Death.')

IN one direction, at least, the writer can throw light on this subject. Indeed, it is necessary in order to refute some mistaken notions, of which the following is an example. The writer was gravely told the other day that Hebrews place silver money in the palms of the dead " to get them across the Jordan." Now, immediately it is known that death is merely a question of hours, or, as we say, " the person lies ' gousess,' " a " professional " watcher is duly installed. Of course, the " vacher " (watcher) is usually kept out of the patient's sight as much as practicable. By this device premature interment is un- known among the Hebrews. The " watcher," as soon as the final act occurs, is there to render valuable assistance, both to the dead and to the living, in a way such as might be resented if volunteered by friends or rela- tions of the bereaved. The " vacher " is, for the time being, in possession of the " house of mourning," and everybody yields to his (or her) authority until the body is finally removed by the undertaker's men on the morning of the funeral ; till which time (never more than three days if a Sabbath intervenes) this manor woman remains with the deceased, and, in some cases, helps the